Bluetooth is the gold standard for device-to-device file transfers and close-range communications, but it has a competitor that you might not have heard of: WiFi Direct.
What is WiFi Direct? This little-known alternative has been around for years but, unlike Bluetooth, you can use WiFi Direct for more than just file transfers.
Windows 10 has direct WiFi Direct support, but if you’re planning on using it, you’ll need to know what it’s good for (and whether it’s safe to use it or not). There are plenty of devices that support WiFi Direct (under various names), so if you want to know more about WiFi Direct in Windows 10, here’s what you’ll need to know.
What Is WiFi Direct?
WiFi Direct is a standard that allows the use of WiFi radio frequencies (typically 2.4GHz and 5GHz) to make direct, peer-to-peer connections with other devices. You don’t need an existing WiFi network to connect to, as the connection is made directly between two devices.
WiFi Direct works by enabling a software-generated access point on the host device, creating a temporary WiFi network in the process. WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) is then used to authenticate, with a push button or PIN code used to establish a connection. This allows for a seamless (yet secure) connection between the devices.
Like Bluetooth, you can use it to send files, share your screen with other devices, play games directly, share your internet connection, and more. It also plays a central part in other systems and communication standards, such as Cerca de un campo de comunicación.
Other WiFi-specific brands, such as Miracast, also use WiFi Direct to communicate. While Miracast is its own standard, it builds upon the WiFi Direct technology to allow for secure screen mirroring.
Support for WiFi Direct is quite patchy, however. While it is fully supported in Windows 10 (depending on your device), Apple devices such as Macs, iPhones, and iPads use the proprietary AirDrop and AirPlay instead.
Modern Android devices (from Android 4.0 onwards) offer support for WiFi Direct, but you may need a third-party app to make full use of its functionality. It also has some support on certain smart TVs, game consoles, and other WiFi-capable devices.
Comprobando la compatibilidad con Wi-Fi Direct en su PC con Windows 10
If you want to use WiFi Direct as an alternative to Bluetooth, then you’ll be best served using a Windows 10 PC or laptop. Windows 10 offers full support for the WiFi Direct standard, but your internal WiFi chip (or external WiFi device) will need to support it.
If you want to check whether your Windows PC or laptop supports the WiFi Direct standard, then you’ll need to use the windows PowerShell.
- To open a new PowerShell terminal, right-click the Start menu and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) .
- En el nuevo windows PowerShell ventana, tipo ipconfig / all y pulse Participar. A list of your network adapters and connections will be listed. Look through the list of adapters to find the Adaptador virtual directo de Microsoft Wi-Fi listado.
If Adaptador virtual directo de Microsoft Wi-Fi is listed, then your PC supports WiFi Direct connections. If it doesn’t, then you’ll need to attach a third-party USB WiFi device to enable support for it.
Connecting to Other WiFi Direct Compatible Devices
If your PC supports it, then you can connect to other WiFi Direct capable devices. To do this, you can use Windows’ search and discovery features to locate other WiFi Direct devices nearby.
- To do this, you’ll need to open the Configuración de Windows menu. Right-click the Start menu and select the Ajustes .
- En Configuración de Windows menú, seleccione el Dispositivos option. From there, you’ll need to select the Agregar Bluetooth u otro dispositivo .
- En la ventana emergente Agrega un dispositivo menu, you can select the type of device you want to connect to. Some WiFi Direct devices, for instance, are largely used for screen mirroring. To add one of these, select the Pantalla o base inalámbrica opción. De lo contrario, seleccione el Todo lo demás opción en lugar.
- A list of available devices nearby that your PC can connect to will appear next. WiFi Direct-capable devices will also appear, including smartphones, smart TVs, games consoles, and more. To connect to those devices, select the device listed.
- Once the device is connected, select the Terminado button to complete the connection.
- The device will then appear in your list of known devices in the Bluetooth y otros dispositivos menu in Windows Settings.
While this method should work for most WiFi Direct devices, there may be other methods you can use to connect, so consult the user manual for those devices for further information.
For instance, some devices that support the WiFi Direct standard will have their own always-on WiFi networks that you can connect to. If you had a HP printer or Sony smart TV, for instance, you could connect by joining the DIRECT-XX wireless network for that device.
Sending Files Using WiFi Direct
Uno de los mejores usos de WiFi Direct es la transferencia de archivos, especialmente si tiene una gran cantidad de archivos. Si bien puede usar Bluetooth, transferir archivos grandes (o una gran cantidad de ellos) llevaría mucho más tiempo que una conexión WiFi Direct.
If you have an Android device, the best way to use WiFi Direct is by using the Feem app, which has Windows 10 and Android support. While WiFi Direct isn’t supported for iPhones and iPads, Feem does use an alternative method for file transfers on those platforms.
- Para comenzar, descargue e instale el Aplicación Feem para su dispositivo Android. También necesitarás instalar Feem en su PC con Windows. Una vez instalado, abra Feem en ambos dispositivos.
- En su dispositivo Android, toque el Encienda WiFi Direct control deslizante en la aplicación Feem. Esto activará el punto de acceso ad-hoc WiFi Direct especial para que su dispositivo Windows se conecte. La contraseña requerida para conectarse a esta red aparecerá en la esquina superior derecha.
- En su dispositivo Windows, conéctese a la red WiFi temporal creada por su dispositivo Android (por ejemplo, DIRECTO-mH-Android). Puede hacer esto en el menú de Configuración de Windows o presionando el botón Icono de WiFi / red en su barra de tareas y seleccionando la red WiFi temporal desde allí.
- Una vez conectado, abra la aplicación Feem en su PC con Windows. Su dispositivo Android debe aparecer en el menú de la izquierda. Puede enviar archivos al revés seleccionando su PC con Windows en la aplicación Feem en Android. Seleccione el dispositivo en la lista en cualquier plataforma, luego seleccione o toque el Enviar archivo en la parte inferior para comenzar a enviar archivos.
- Una vez que se hayan enviado los archivos, toque el WiFi Direct está activado control deslizante en su dispositivo Android para deshabilitar el punto de acceso WiFi Direct y finalizar la conexión.
Connecting Windows 10 PCs to Other Devices
As the name suggests, using WiFi Direct in Windows 10 allows you to make direct connections with other devices. If you want to transfer files from your smartphone to your PC regularly, then you may prefer to use the built-in La aplicación de tu teléfono preferiblemente.
If WiFi Direct isn’t an option, then Bluetooth is your next, best option for standalone, peer-to-peer communication. Many Windows 10 PCs have Bluetooth built-in, but you can make a PC Bluetooth-capable using a USB adapter. You’ll just need to remember to switch Bluetooth on first before you attempt to make a connection.